Most staff members at the Nathaniel “Ned” Ruff Water Treatment Facility in East Chicago (Ind.) had spent 20 or more years working with a conventional sand filtration process, in place since 1964.A new water treatment plant, commissioned earlier this year, uses membrane ultrafiltration, brand new to the entire team. Pete Baranyai, utilities director for the city, knew the switch would be difficult unless his people were prepared.So Baranyai worked with the new plant’s engineering consultants and equipment vendors to create training programs for operators and the maintenance staff. The training combined classroom sessions with hands-on instruction on the equipment.When the
